Yes, so far it seems that Hoodia gordoni and Acai Berry are natural safe alternatives to diet pills, BUT …

Facts on Hoodia gordonii

Hoodia gordonii is a succulent plant growing naturally in Namibia and South Africa. It has been used by the native Bushman population for centuries to treat indigestion and minor infections. Also it had been used to suppress appetite during long hunting trips.

This alleged property has been marketed aggressively since the 1990s leading to the development of a variety of Hoodia gordonii containing supplement in forms of pills, shakes, tinctures, teas or fruit bars. However, there is no published scientific evidence that Hoodia gordonii does indeed suppress appetite.

And even if the Bushmen were up to something, there is probably a vast difference in eating fresh Hoodia gordonii pulp versus a commercialized Hoodia gordonii fruit bar or other supplement. Provided that the Hoodia supplement does contain some Hoodia gordonii, which according to Alkemist Pharmaceutical’s ongoing review of Hoodia diet pills is only the case in about half of the advertised products.

So yes, Hoodia gordonii seems safe, as ineffective as diet pills if you get any Hoodia in your supplement at all. Save your money!

Facts on Acai Berry

As for Acai Berry supplements, this is much of the same story. Acai berry are the fruit of the Acai palm tree and Acai is widely consumed in Brazil as an ice cream flavor or juice and the fresh fruit, prepared in different ways, can make up even up to 40% of the total food supply in some traditional populations in the Brazil Amazon.

For the last few years, Acai berries have been marketed as dietary weight loss supplement, for reversing some chronic diseases and even for expanding a male person’s private parts! As somehow expected there are no controlled studies backing up any of these claims.

If you can get some fresh acai berries, go for it, they are thought to contain many potent antioxidants, but so do any other berries for that matter. Otherwise, no harm done, no pound lost, but some people got a lot richer!

The holy grail of weight loss?

All this seems a bit like the search for the holy grail of weight loss, once you stop searching for it allover, you might discover it in yourself! Meaning, once you accept that there is no magic pill that melts your fat with no effort on your part, but you are willing to do the right things, weight loss becomes very simple.

The magic wand is YOU taking action! If you have trouble changing to healthier eating habits and to control your portions, you may find some help here.